RRS parent leaflet for APP

Lawthorn Primary School
Rights Respecting School
Information for Parents/Carers

UNICEF

What is the Rights Respecting School Award?

The Rights Respecting Schools Award is a Unicef UK programme that aims to
put children’s rights at the heart of schools in the UK. The Award recognises a
school’s achievement in putting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of

the Child (CRC or UNCRC) into practice within the school and beyond.

The award is based on principles of equality, dignity, respect, non-discrimination
and participation. The initiative started in 2006 and schools involved in the
award have reported a positive impact on relationships and wellbeing, leading to
better learning and behaviour improved academic standards and less bullying.

What are we doing?

In Lawthorn Primary School we aim to practise and respect children’s rights in
an environment where everyone is treated the same. We want our children to

be confident individuals who feel safe, nurtured and protected from harm.

By embedding children’s rights in the ethos and culture of the school we strive
to improve well-being and develop every child’s talents and abilities to their full

potential.

Within our school we are working towards achieving our Silver Award by:
• Including the Rights Respecting School Award in our vision for school

improvement.
• Linking the convention to teaching and learning throughout the school.
• Promoting a rights respecting culture throughout the school (staff and pupil

focus groups have been set up to promote the values and principles of the
convention).
• Teaching children about their rights and encouraging the use of the language
of the convention to help them become rights respecting global citizens.
• Promoting global citizenship and sustainable development.

What does the Award Involve?

At Lawthorn Primary school, we have achieved out Bronze Award: Rights
Committed and are working towards achieving our Silver Award: Rights Award

for embedding children’s rights throughout the school.

There are three levels to the Award:
• Bronze: Rights Committed
• Silver: Rights Aware
• Gold: Rights Respecting

What is the UNCRC?

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (OR UNCRC) sets out
the human rights of every person under the age of 18. The Convention is an
international human rights treaty which was adopted by the UN General
Assembly in 1989 and ratified by the UK in 1991.

Why is the UNCRC important?

The Convention is a very important document because it recognises that all
children have the right to be treated with dignity and fairness, to be

protected, to develop to their full potential and to participate. It also lays out
what countries must do to ensure that all children can enjoy their rights,
regardless of who they are, or where they are from.

How can I find out more about the UNCRC?

More information on the UNCRC can be found at:
http://www.unicef.org.uk/rights-respecting-schools/

How you can help?

Parents /carers can help by:
• Taking some time to look at the UNCRC
• Talking to you child/ren about what they have learned about children’s rights
• Becoming involved in our focus groups.

Article 42
All adults and children should know

about this convention.